textproduct: Amarillo

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 111 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

Fire weather conditions have the potential to return next week on multiple days. Above normal temperatures, low RH values, and breezy winds look to create elevated to near-critical conditions.

SHORT TERM

(This evening through Sunday night) Issued at 111 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

No major changes were made to the short term package today. Surface winds remain northerly today as cold air advection continues across the region. Highs still look to cap out in the lower 50's. The surface pressure gradient is bit tighter in the southeast Texas Panhandle compared to the rest of the FA. Therefore, wind speeds should remain breezy in those areas for the rest of the day. Tonight, winds will become light and variable across the CWA. High surface pressure, light winds, and clear skies will allow low temperatures to fall back to teens and 20's. Tomorrow, the wind direction shifts back to southerly flow. Not much change with our other mesoscale features will allow temperatures to only be slightly warmer during the day. Highs should be in the mid to upper 50's for the combined panhandles, but a few places could reach the 60's.

Rangel

LONG TERM

(Monday through next Friday) Issued at 111 PM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

While northwest flow continues aloft, eastern portions of the upper level ridge will move over the combined panhandles at the start of the extended period. As the week progresses, the ridge degrades slightly but the axis will still be positioned west of us to allow northwest flow to continue. For the rest of the long term period, We should experience the effects of multiple shortwaves moving through the area as the upper level pattern remains relatively unchanged.

Warm air advection makes a strong return Monday and Tuesday. While Monday's highs should be marginally above normal, Tuesday has a high potential for many locations to return to the 80's. Even after some fronts move through, Wednesday through Friday, we will still be slow to cool down due to persistent WAA near the surface. Fire weather concerns also return as we warm up and dewpoints remain low. However, without strong upper level support, the wind component will be lacking in next week's setups. Elevated fire weather conditions seem possible due to being largely RH driven. If low level parameters line up so winds may over perform, critical status could be achieved.

Rangel

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1131 AM CST Sat Feb 21 2026

VFR conditions are expected throughout the 18Z TAF period at all TAF sites. Winds will be variable at 5-10 kts under mostly clear skies.

AMA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...None. OK...None.